Nationwide good for travellers?

emuzeg

I come and go between the UK and Turkey and have heard that Nationwide is a good choice for an account and debit card. Is this indeed the case with the debit card? Or just the credit cards?

opinions4u

They're more "above average" than good.

Read the link below for alternatives.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

emuzeg

opinions4u wrote: »

They're more "above average" than good.

Read this link for alternatives.

Thanks! But link doesn't work? I see the post office credit card is commission free on foreign purchases, but they didn't accept me. Any other recommendations?

magpiecottage

Nationwide used to offer commission free foreign transactions but have now decided to take commission so they can spend it on kitting out their common rooms like billionnaire playboys' yachts (their words not mine).

Metrobank is commission free but you need to visit a branch - but apart from High Wycombe they are currently all inside the M25.

emuzeg

Hmm interesting thanks! Might pass on Nationwide then. I was thinking of coop bank too, but then I would be with 5 different banks. Is there anything legally questionable about having so many?

innovate

emuzeg wrote: »

Is there anything legally questionable about having so many?

There is no law on how many bank accounts you can have.

Many people on here, myself included, have had upwards of half a dozen current accounts for a long time. Not to talk about different credit cards and savings accounts.

As long as you can manage your finances across the various banks and building societies without getting black marks on your credit files, you will be perfectly fine.

BTW, did you read the link opinions4u provided? Can't see the Coop figuring in the best buys, but the Nationwide Select credit card is there.

innovate

magpiecottage wrote: »

Nationwide used to offer commission free foreign transactions but have now decided to take commission so they can spend it on kitting out their common rooms like billionnaire playboys' yachts (their words not mine).

When/when did they say that?

labp04

Hi hi, not sure what you mean by travelling regularly to Turkey but we drive it a couple of times a year. We use MetroBank for cash via a debit card with no difficulties in any part of the route. We also use a credit card from that bank along with a combination of SAGA and Nationwide as " back-up". All of this works well for us and has proven well worth the effort of going to the south to open the MetroBank accounts. You pays your money . . . . .

jamesperrett

As others have said, Nationwide used to be good for travellers but their debit cards are no longer commission free. However, if you pay enough into your account regularly you get basic free travel insurance and you can also apply for a credit card which IS commission free on foreign transactions.

I've had my main current account with them for about 8 years and haven't had any problems.

James.

magpiecottage

innovate wrote: »

When/when did they say that?

It is on youtube

emuzeg

Thanks for the replies! I have had a look at the best card thing, and I see Lloyds and Halifax debit cards are the worst to use abroad, my HSBC and FD debit cards being OK and FD credit card too.

As for Metrobank - I want one! Shame they are all in London and I have just come back from there. When next there I will definitely open one and use it's debit card for whenever I happen to be in Turkey or abroad. If in Turkey though I'll use my Turkish bank cards obviously, but just incase it's great to know I'd have the metrobank card that ONLY converts local currency to £ with no extra fees.

I had an annoyance today that has put me right off HSBC: I went overdrawn on my debit card whilst in London because it went into minus figures without any warning and as I knew I didn't have an overdraft I just figured there were still funds available. Got home and realised I was -£83, and have incurred £50 charge despite correcting it immediately. They have reduced the fee to £25 as a sign of 'goodwill' but it's very cheeky they allow this to happen, supposedly to 'save customer's embarrassment', but obviously profit off overdrawn fees. Dunno if it's worth pursuing or not.

I think I'll use my First Direct account and credit card for all UK-based spending as their customer service is next to none, my Halifax reward account just for the £5 a month, Lloyds for the good monthly interest with vantage, nothing for HSBC and my (eventual) Metro bank account for foreign use. Hurrah!